Hi, what would be allowed for a legit run for 2 Players?

Let's say I play alone with 2 controllers but I make the first player die?

Does both players have to be alive when finishing the game?

What about having a coop over the internet? I think there's some emulator working over the internet?

I'd like to hear others' takes but I would think that a co-op run would be best played in the spirit of the game if both runners finished the run. Otherwise it's just a 1-player run with added steps, what's the point, right?

I would agree that both players need to be alive at the end, just seems logical. I'm new at speed running. Anyone knows of other runs at 2 players or some guides/faqs on this?

2 player games mean two players imo. Almost all of the other retro games Ive seen require both players actually playing. I am not sure if "alive when finishing the game" matters, but atleast "alive when engaging the final boss". Sometimes my coop partner likes to beef it in the finale :)